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August 11, 2008


From the pen of Andy

MELVILLE

THE FALL FROM “GRACE”

Melville Bowling Club

Just three wins last season and 40.5 points – placed this proud club firmly in last spot on the Red ladder. Once the pride of the top four with two Red teams and heaps of bowling talent to choose from – what has happened – more over why was it allowed to happen?

Although Melville is not the first club to suffer from player drain, it is difficult to remember a club that suffered so swiftly. The season just past was forgettable in many ways for this once very competitive club. One can only hope they have something up their sleeve for the coming season – other than an arm.

Maybe some of their long standing servants, like the Mitchells and Beards etc, who have been playing down the heap a bit, will be looked to, in an endeavor to commence the long journey back for Melville.

All too often we see the damage that results from loss of player stocks and you will not find a better example than Melville. Imports to this club saw some members move to other nearby clubs to further their own aspirations, I’m certain Melville would love to gain back some of those who left a year or so ago.

Still the game goes on and the first bowl is yet to be played. Recognising the gap that exists between Red and White and making some allowances for further player loss this season, it is difficult to make a case for Melville to win the eight or nine games that may be required to finish in sixth place or better.
It is with reluctance that one suggests Melville may find the bottom four more achievable than anywhere else. This is one club in the metro pennant comp that should have a better outlook.

The gauntlet is down and it is with hope for tradition that Melville proves me wrong.

What will Melville’s rinks look like on the 1st November, who will be their skips, Steve Hughes, Neville Briely, maybe Tony O’Meehan, Geoff Oakley, Bobbie Mitchell, the selectors have a bit to do and one would hope a good outcome is available for this club.

The bottom four this season was headed up by Bassendean with 69.5 points, just half a point away from sixth place. Gosnells who had just the one win last year gave everyone some good wins; I doubt there will be many easy games this coming season. Looking at last years outcomes seventh spot in Red was filled with 62 points, Blue North 64 points and Blue South by 67.5. Maybe 64 or 65 points will get a club above relegation in White this season.

The disturbing fact about last year was that there appeared to be more interest in the bottom six and survival than the top four and success. Strange circumstances one must admit. Unfortunately this coming season may well be the same, makes for some interesting encounters and certainly keeps the majority of the club’s interests on the boil right throughout the pennant season.

Good luck Melville, you will need a little if you are to spend more than a season in White. Personally this writer hopes the club achieves survival as we have seen too many of our proud clubs moving in the wrong direction over the last decade or so.

Go Melville
Tarah